Curiosity, also known as the Mars Science Laboratory, is 50 days into a two-year mission to investigate whether conditions may have been favorable for microbial life.

Media who wish to attend the news conference at JPL must arrange access by calling the Media Relations Office at 818-354-5011 by 10:30 a.m. Sept. 27. Valid media credentials are required. Non-U.S. citizens also must bring a passport.

Media representatives who cannot attend in-person may ask questions from other participating NASA centers or by telephone. To participate by phone, reporters should call the JPL Media Relations Office to obtain the number.